Balaka Prison

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Balaka Prison

Location	Balaka Township, Malawi, Malawi
Coordinates	14°55′S 34°52′E / 14.917°S 34.867°E / -14.917; 34.867
Status	Operational
Security class	Maximum (male and female)
Capacity	1,500
Opened	1971
Managed by	Malawi Prison Service

Balaka Prison, also known as Balaka Maximum Security Prison, is a prison located in Balaka, Malawi.^[1] Balaka Prison has a capacity of approximately 1,500 inmates, but it often holds more than 2,000 prisoners due to overcrowding. The main objective of Balaka Prison is to provide a safe and secure environment for the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders into society.^[2]

Balaka Prison was established in 1971 during the Kamuzu Banda era as a maximum-security prison to house political prisoners and hardcore criminals.^[3] The prison has undergone several renovations and expansions since its inception.

Balaka Prison is situated in the township of Balaka, in the Balaka District of Malawi, approximately 250 kilometers north of Blantyre.^[4]

The prison has several facilities, including cellblocks, a chapel, a mosque, a hospital, and recreational facilities. The prison also has a farm that produces food for the inmates.

Some notable inmates who have been held at Balaka Prison include political prisoners such as Aleke Banda, a former Minister of Agriculture, and Humphrey Mvula, a former Minister of Finance.

The aim of Balaka Prison is to provide a humane and dignified treatment of inmates, preparing them for reintegration into society upon release.^[5]

The vision of Balaka Prison is to be a model correctional facility in Malawi, providing a safe and secure environment for the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders.

The mission of Balaka Prison is to provide a humane and dignified treatment of inmates, equipping them with skills and values necessary for reintegration into society.

Balaka Prison has faced allegations of overcrowding, poor sanitation, inadequate food and water, and human rights abuses.

The prison faces challenges such as inadequate funding, staff shortages, and outdated infrastructure.

There have been several scandals at Balaka Prison, including allegations of corruption and embezzlement among prison officials.